The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Potato Research of India (CPRI) in Shimla has received approval to resume the production of potato seeds at its Kufri and Fagu farms, signifying a significant relief for farmers. This development comes after the prohibition on the production and movement of potato tubers at the CPRI farms in the Fagu and Kufri areas of Shimla district in 2018, following the imposition of a home quarantine due to the detection of cyst nematode.
The decision to halt seed production was aimed at preventing the further spread of cyst nematode, which was also observed in other hilly states like Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. However, this suspension of seed production led to substantial losses for farmers.
Following the formulation of a seed treatment protocol by CPRI scientists, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare granted permission for the movement of potato seed tubers with specific conditions in several districts, including Shimla, Sirmaur, Mandi, Chamba, Kullu, and Kangra. The seed treatment protocol, involves decontaminating freshly harvested seed potato tubers from areas infested with potato cyst nematodes using sodium hypochlorite. This protocol allows for the effective disintegration of cyst walls and subsequent removal of excess sodium hypochlorite.
The institute’s request for relaxation in home quarantine, based on the developed seed treatment, was approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. This development paves the way for the resumption of potato seed production, offering a positive outlook for farmers and agricultural activities in the region.
